My name is Brittney Thrift, and I am incredibly thankful to be showcased here on this blog by Spoonie Threads!
I am a NICU nurse turned NICU mom. My twins were born premature at 33 weeks gestation. After a long night shift, I started to bleed. I tried to remain calm and scheduled an appointment right away. My OBGYN's alarmed expression told me something was wrong; he said, “I can feel fetal parts.” This marked the beginning of my journey from NICU nurse to NICU mom.
In reversed roles, I was now on the other side of the isolette, my perspective completely transformed. Experiencing the NICU as a parent has deepened my empathy and understanding for the families I care for. This journey inspired me to write "Cradles of Courage: Adventures in the NICU," a book written from the lighthearted perspective of the newborn. This perspective offers joy and hope during times of parental fear and uncertainty in the NICU.
Although my pregnancy was incredible, and I truly loved being pregnant, being postpartum was very difficult. I struggled with postpartum rage and found it hard to manage my emotions. I started writing down all the things I didn’t want to forget and realized how much it helped relieve my emotional ups and downs. The words on the page were cute and brought me joy. I continued to edit the text and decided to make it rhyme. I thought, "Hmm, this could be a cute children’s book for NICU parents like us!"
I illustrated the book and saw the visions in my head come to life. To hold the physical copy in my hand was absolutely unreal. I am a nurse and mom, and I did not let the fear of failure prevent me from trying something new. That is the lesson behind all of this. If you have something inside of you calling you to try it out, do it! We are so much more capable of things than we realize, and I need my kids to know that about themselves as well. Setting that example was crucial and motivated me through the entire self publishing process which definitely had its ups and downs!
I am so excited to share a piece of my heart with all of you. I am also proud to partner with Hand to Hand. A percentage of the proceeds will go directly to this incredible non- profit organization. Our goal at Thrift Publication Company is to give back, and help to support families battling the NICU journey.
Social Media/links Website-
Email: info@thriftpublicationcompany.com
Facebook Thrift Publication Company
Amazon: Cradles of courage: Adventures in the NICU
Barnes and Noble: Cradles of Courage
The Journal of Our Story: A Medical Notebook for the Organized NICU Parent
I Am a NICU Mom: Coloring through the NICU Journey
